Bright Umbrellas and the BK Bridge

Photo 250 - 251: Brandon and I (giggle) went sightseeing around BK the other day, and after an amazing white pizza pie, some creamy ice cream and a cat-nap in the park, we picked up Pedro and Lexi (our cameras), and did BK proud. What a view! So here is my favorite bridge in the world, and I'm having a dilema with this picture. Should I use the wider shot or the closely-cropped one? I like both, so which one is a better fit?

or

A Little Coney

Photo 248 - 249: Coney Island is one of New York's most famous, if often forgotten and neglected landmarks. It's dirty, and loud, and run-down, but absolutely fantastic at the same time. A lot of it is being torn down now, and not operational yet, but the big Wonder Wheel and little amusement park are still there for kids - big and small.

Ready for the Stage?

Photo 204: Found this little gem as I was wandering around in Brooklyn. All that's missing is some old Hollywood movie star having a cigarette outside...

Wait For It...

Photo 201-203: I couldn't resist posting more of my afternoon at the doggie park. Here is an action sequence I love. This is the same dog who looked like he was being overpowered by the black lab. Not so much... He kept waiting for dogs to come near, and then initiated an outright pounce attack. The dogs weren't amused, but the people couldn't stop watching. lol Little bugger!

GULP!

Photo 200: I can't believe it, but I finally reached my 200th picture! YEAH!!! Granted, I'm a little behind, but I'm trying to catch up. I kept debating what my milestone picture would be today, and I just had to pick this one. Every time I look at it, it cracks me up, the puppy's face is just priceless. You can just see the uncertainty and mistrust in his eyes... it's hilarious. He's almost saying, "Excuse me, uh, what are you doing? Gulp!" What you don't see is how three seconds later, he dog-handled the black dog into the ground, and then chased him all over the doggie park. Go figure! Hope you love it as much as I do.

East Coast = SNOW!

Photo 196 - 197: We've been hit by a snowstorm, but it's nothing compared to what DC and Baltimore have to deal with. I looked at pictures this morning, and they really got snowed in. It's crazy how much snow they have to deal with. We got a few inches, but also have to deal with the arctic wind that is causing frostbite all over the place. It's FREEZING outside. The gray and cloudy skies aren't helping either. I dug out my car though, and managed to grab some shots along the street and highway. I'm all stocked up on groceries, and now bumming around on the couch. I refuse to go outside today... it's just too crappy.

As a sidenote, anyone a fan of this new blog editor? I changed back to the old one, because, quite frankly, the new one seems to be very outdated, and has less features i.e. multiple uploads, color schemes, picture sizes, etc.

Dumbo

Photo 193 - 195: As I was walking around Dumbo, I saw these seagulls just hanging out on the shore right next to the Manhattan bridge. I looked over my shoulder, and there was a stunning view of the old Brooklyn Bridge. It's amazing what you can see when you take a quick stroll around Dumbo. And speaking of typical sights, this Firehouse door is exactly what I've been looking at all day. Two minutes after I took the shot, our dedicated NYC firefighters sprung into action, and hurled themselves and their engine down the road to cover some kind of emergency. Speed and safety to them!

Brrr ... Photo Hunt

Photo 190 - 192: As promised I went photo hunting today with my friend, Luca, and as I woke up and looked at the temperature outside, I realized it was 15 degrees. So I bundled up with a scarf, a hat, some gloves, and a down jacket, and headed out to the Brooklyn Promenade and Dumbo. I have to say, Luca and I were champs, because it was FLIPPING FREEZING! We ate and drank all day long, because we kept making pit stops every half an hour or so to de-thaw. lol But I got some great pictures, some great memories, and I even attempted some fence climbing. It didn't work out in my favor at the end, but at least I know I still have some mad climbing skills from my childhood - even though the flexibility is not quite there anymore.

My Blue Phase

Photo 185-187: I took Pedro with me today, hoping to be inspired. Along the way, I was happy to report some amazing blue skies peeking through some ominous clouds. After yesterday's torrential downpour, I was happy to see that I didn't need my umbrella today. Whew... Swimming home from the subway is really not a lot of fun. I pointed Pedro at some trees as well, the contrast there is just so pretty. But the coolest shot today (the third one) was as I was waiting for the train to take me into the city. The shadows and the turquoise bluish color just completed my little blue collage of photographs. I know, I know, I'm reaching, but I'm also trying to get creative, which is very hard when no one is doing anything, and I'm either travelling or just plain lazy. I do have my first portrait session this weekend. Let's hope I get some great shots in, and send me good photographer karma. I'm a bit nervous.

A Birthday Weekend

Photo 183 + an extra one: So the picture below describes perfectly what I've been up to all weekend... forming my own Wii Rockband. It was my best friend's birthday (the lovely, growling redhead to the right), and we decided to throw a party... and throw down some tunes. Six hours later, six bottles of wine later, and the number of guests dwindling down slowly to only four brave souls left, we realized that we had found our calling, and we called ourselves "The Foreigners" lol

I did sneak out today after the apartment was cleaned, and all incriminating evidence was disposed of, to capture my favorite bridge in Brooklyn as the sun was going down.

&

"the V Bridge"

First Snowfall of 2009

Photo 163-168: After digging my car out of about one foot of snow, and accelerating around a few sharp corners and consequent "wohooo" slides, I went Christmas shopping this morning. It was very quiet and beautiful outside, because New Yorkers, even after monstrous snowfalls in years past, still seem to think that a foot of snow is a lot. By the time I dug out my car (approx. 10:30 a.m.) the roads were starting to be cleared. I loved it! My little Jetta is a trooper in the snow, and LOVES, and I repeat, LOVES slippin' and slidin' around the streets - all of course with due safety considered.

After not buying one present, because all the stores I went to were closed due to "the storm of the century," I went home to grab Pedro, and proceeded to see what frostbite was like. I hate taking pictures with Pedro while I'm wearing gloves, so needless to say, the 25 degrees plus the icy wind that decided to start up just as I was leaving the building almost helped me with said frostbite. I was going to drive to the park, take great pictures, but it was so cold, I ran around my neighborhood trying to capture some great moments like little kids building snowmen, having snowball fights, building forts... I found ONE snowman, and even he looked miserable in the cold weather. I guess I could have dragged my sorry butt to Central Park, but driving an hour into the city (probably longer with the road/traffic conditions) wasn't an appealing thought.

But here are some images from around the neighborhood from our first official winter snow day. The sun came out a little bit, and I even caught a little boy doing his dad's job... shoveling the sidewalk. lol Hope everyone stayed home with lots of hot chocolate, movies and everyone is getting ready for the holidays. I can't wait for it to be Christmas!

Happy Water

Photo 100: It's a small milestone today, because I've reached 100 photos! So exciting, and so rewarding, and so exhausting sometimes. lol It's not all about capturing the photo, but then molding it into a photo that keeps the essence of what you saw, but enhancing it to create a piece of art at the same time. This weekend was an absolutely stunning weekend, and we had some truly great later-summer weather with a hint of fall, but here's a shot in front of the Brooklyn Museum with a "dancing" fountain.

Recovery Walk

Photo 95-98: I finally got to the photos of the recovery walk I worked/participated in. Like I said before, it was truly amazing to be part of that cause, and as you can see, the mood wasn't dampened by some serious rainclouds. People were D E D I C A T E D to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Nothing and no one was going to stop them, and you don't argue with a crowd of 10,000 people. While shooting these images, I not only climbed a very slippery fountain, but learned to walk backwards without tripping or injuring anyone including myself. All in all, it was quite the successful photo hunt.

Walk and a fan

Photo 91-92: I participated in a walk this weekend (pictures to follow), and it was amazing to see thousands of people dedicated to their cause despite the impending rain and cloudy prospects. Their pride at what they had overcome and pure energy carried them through the morning and across the Brooklyn Bridge, and it really renewed your faith in the human spirit and what we can achieve, no matter how hard the obstacle.

After the walk was over, and everyone was gathered to see Smokey Robinson perform, I got to meet the walk's smallest fan for the first time, and promptly got a hug and a kiss. I tell you, he made the sunshine come out.

He braved the storm and rain, and shared his newer-ending enthusiasm with the rest of the group, and couldn't be happier with a little flag, an oreo cookie and the attention from pop pop who he is smiling at in this picture below.

5:30 a.m. and All Is Well

Photo 72: Good Morning! I'm suffering a tad from jetlag, so my internal clock is waking me up at 5:30 a.m. lately to start the day. Do I agree with that, no! Do I have a choice, not really - my body thinks it's almost noon in Austria. But it's not all wasted time and energy, at least I get to capture a shot like this - a beautiful sunset over BK. It's funny what you miss when you're in dreamland.

Heatwave

Photo 59: And as the night draws to a close, a sunset to remind us that (eventually) everything will cool down, and be bathed in gentle colors of the sun.

Photo 58: I know, I know, it's hot... and guess who is thrilled about that? ME! Here's a refreshing little picture of our NYC and a little boat action.

Photo 57: The really cool thing about Brooklyn is that you can really see anything and everything. Even on 90 degree days, theatrics and gigantic balloons can be found on the beach.

What's in a reflection?

Photo 38-40: I took Pedro with me one morning this week on my way to work. It was right after yet another huge rainstorm, and everything looked so clean and clear. The sun was coming out, it was the perfect temperature, and the traffic was just starting to pick up. There really is something refreshing after a rain storm... even in BK. lol Hope you enjoy them. I'm off to the High Line today! Can't wait to see what I can capture there... I'll try to stalk some people this time! If you're interested in going, check out their site. It looks amazing!

Brooklyn, New York

Photo 36: Home, sweet home... my Brooklyn.

"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body" - Benjamin Franklin

My Transportation

Photo 28: Here's a quick snapshot of my BK train. So lovely, so on time, and so quiet in the morning hours. *sarcastic grin* People often gasp when I tell them I have an hour commute every day, but I have to tell you, it's relaxing just to sit down, read a book, listen to some music or take a nap. I have mastered the art of napping while sitting up straight, and that power nap often gets me up and running... well WITH my gigantic cup of coffee.

Verrazano Bridge at Dusk

Photo 8: Excuse my absence, I've caught a really nasty summer cold, and right now I'm high on DayQuil trying not to get too stir crazy. I've been sleeping all day, and could signal boats into the harbor with my red nose! Ugh... I got sick... in the summer... now THAT is my personal hell.

But, let's not lose all hope, here's one of my favorite bridges, shot on an evening stroll around Bay Ridge (Brooklyn.)